New year brings new California laws

State lawmakers laid down hundreds of new laws that will change how millions of Californians drive, shop and do business in 2013, but perhaps the most sweeping was imposed by voters themselves.

Voters in November passed a state sales tax increase starting Jan. 1 and also retroactively hiked income taxes for upper-income earners to avoid deep cuts to education.

Also, starting Jan. 1 Californians will pay more at the cash register for lumber products, cities will get limits on new red light cameras, gun owners will no longer be allowed to carry unloaded rifles and shotguns in public view and unauthorized immigrants will move a step closer to being able to obtain a driver’s license.

Moreover, motorists will be able to drive and text using new voice-recognition technology, boat owners will have to chip in more to fight the invasive quagga mussel, and the CHP will issue “Silver Alerts” about missing senior citizens.

Also, several key state bills becoming law Tuesday are rooted in San Diego County.

One edict comes from Washington — not Sacramento. Deliveries of the everyday 40- or 60-watt incandescent light bulb will be turned off starting Jan. 1, but retailers can still sell stock on hand and replacements are designed to provide the same amount of light by using less energy. It’s part of a federal energy-savings bill signed by Republican President George W. Bush in 2007. That measure already affects traditional 75- and 100-watt bulbs in California.

In all, Gov. Jerry Brown signed 876 pieces of legislation in 2012, but not all were major changes that directly affect many everyday Californians. Here’s a look at some of those that will:

• The state sales tax increases by a quarter-cent starting Jan 1, under Proposition 30 passed by voters in November.

• Individuals and businesses earning more than $250,000 ($500,000 per couple) will be calculating higher taxes. Proposition 30 raises personal income tax rates retroactively to the 2012 tax year.

• Do-it-yourselfers and contractors alike will pay a 1 percent surcharge on most wood products sold in the state. The same law eliminated many regulatory fees on California timber companies. Assembly Bill 1492.

• San Diego County vehicle owners will see a special car registration surcharge rise slightly, to $2 from $1, to help combat vehicle thefts. AB 1404.

• Fees for specialized veterans license plates will increase — by $20 for the initial plate, $10 for renewal and $38 for personalized plates. Proceeds will go directly to county programs that serve veterans. AB 1550.

• Boat registration fees will increase up to $10 to help pay for battling invasive species, such as the quagga mussel that threaten to clog vital water delivery pipes. AB 2443.

• Landlords cannot require tenants to pay rent online. SB 1055.

• Birth and death certificate fees will increase by $5. Bill passed in 2011, but effective this year. AB 1053.

• Newly hired public employees will have to work longer before getting full pension benefits and contribute more to the retirement accounts. There are some exceptions for charter cities, including San Diego, because those have their own retirement systems. AB 340.